Brexit has begun - Now we need to come together for a deal that works

Posted by (((Glen Watson)))137sc on March 30, 2017

And so it begins. This week the Prime Minster triggered Article 50 and began the process of leaving the European Union.

The goal for everyone now must be to ensure that Britain gets the best deal possible and to make sure the Government understands the needs of places like the Potteries and has a plan to deliver for them.

Stoke-on-Trent voted decisively to leave, and today their voices have been heard. But now we need to make sure that the aspirations that people placed on Brexit are met and ensure our local jobs and services are protected.

People here voted to leave, but no one voted to get poorer or to see our jobs go. Nor did they vote for us to close ourselves off from the world or become a smaller, more isolated nation.

What they voted for was greater opportunities for them and their families, and for greater investment in our NHS and public services. And they voted to put a stop to places like Stoke-on-Trent being left at the back of the queue.

My job now is to do everything in my power to help deliver a Brexit deal for The Potteries. That's why I have already met with ministers in the departments of Business and International Trade to talk about the threats and opportunities facing the ceramics industry.

It's why I have set up and lead the All Party Group on Ceramics to give our biggest local industry a voice in Westminster.

And it's why I am using every chance I get to shout about the incredible potential of Stoke-on-Trent.

This is our opportunity to transform our country for the better. But we can only do that if we work out together and hold the Government to account as they begin the long process of negotiating Brexit.